The county will split $80,000 between three independent nonprofit groups.

Marley’s Mutts will get $50,000, and $20,000 of the funding will go towards Friends of Kern County Animal Shelters, with $10,000 going towards the Spay and Neuter Foundation.

Now, it’s up to the nonprofits to put together a plan for how they will spend their funding.

Schull said they’re hoping to negotiate agreements within the next couple of weeks. She's optimistic investing in these groups short term will help Kern County in the long term.

“By them assisting us, administering vouchers with their creative ideas, and their programs, we are going to ultimately benefit,” said Schull. "Our community is going to benefit, and the animals will benefit."